Discussion Questions: Week Thirteen

3). Pick one concept from throughout the semester that you feel can use further discussion.


I feel the concept of Causal claims should be further explained. The reason is that this concept was very hard for my to comprehend I know it relates to cause and effect. Which again was very difficult for me to comprehend because some examples makes it very confusing to understand which was the cause and which led to this particular effect. I feel there should be more examples and maybe a clearer explanation. Additionally, when I do a Google search regarding Causal claims the search engine claimed that I spelled the word incorrectly. However, there were a few definitions and examples regarding causal claims. But I wish there was a clearer explanation. Or maybe steps in attempting to find the true cause which led to the effect. Also the reverse cause and effect was another of the complex topic relating to cause and effect for me. Probably, if we use video clips could have further my understanding of the concepts that were difficult for me. Thank you! :)

Discussion Questions: Week Thirteen

2). What was your favorite thing about the class?  What was your least favorite thing about the class?  How can this class be improved?  Again, be specific. 


My favorite thing about this class was even though there was tons of reading it was not complex reading so it made this class rather tolerable since there isn't a professor lecturing means more reading on your own. Another favorite thing about this class was it was actually very informative and I had acquired a vast new range of vocabulary. My least favorite thing about this class is how the start day is at Sunday rather than Monday. I know we begin our days on Sunday but class tends to start my Monday so sometimes I would forget to post a discussion question due to the 12 hour rule. I wish the class started its day on Monday rather than Sunday so it will be the same as the student's schedule without the student having to mentally set up a different schedule. That is mainly my only dislike regarding this class which is the beginning and ending time. Thank you! :)

Discussion Questions: Week Thirteen

What have you learned in this class over the course of the semester?  Be specific. 


I have acquired multiple new concepts from communication 41 critical thinking class. The first new concept that I have learned was the multiple differences in concealed claims. I never knew there were so many different concealed claims. For instance, ridicule which is a claim making up false dilemmas to lower the credibility of the other party. Also this communication class has widen my overall vocabulary. This communication class has given me terms so I am able analyze the claims people make around me. Additionally, this class as reinforced group work for me. I had stop participating in group work since high school so it was unusual for to work in groups again. But I realize the group projects can be based in real life situation where we might we have jobs that require group work and this class has further my understanding of group situations and working with others. The third concept I have learned from this communication class was how an fully online class functions. This class was my first fully online class without attending classroom and it was a very interesting experience. In the near future if I had a choice to do an online class I would definitely do it again. As a matter of fact, I will be taking another fully online class during the winter. Although I did not discuss the other concepts that I had learned from this semester of communication class I had definitely grasp a wide range of knowledge. 


Thank you! :)

Discussion Questions: Week Eleven

3). Pick one concept from the assigned reading (chapter 15), that we have not already discussed, that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.


I found the two mistakes in evaluating cause and effect very interesting and useful. The reason is that the first mistake people make is reversing cause and effect. The example they gave shows a clear misunderstanding. For instance, tom believed that a certain group told lies and made the people fight against deforestation but unfortunately he is wrong. The reason why they entered that group was because they already believe that deforestation was wrong. The second mistake is when someone look too hard for a cause. That mistake reminds me of my mom. The textbook states that the reason why dreams come true at times is due to large number and probability. Since I'm planning to be an applied mathematics major I agree with the text that math could find ways to calculate the possibility for dreams to come true. Anyways, my mom tend to believe dreams for tell the future. So that would an example of looking too hard to find the cause of the effect which will be the dream. 




Alright thank you for reading! Last post! WOOT! :]

Discussion Questions: Week Eleven

2). What was useful about the Mission Critical website?


I found the usefulness of the website was that the website provided all the communication 41 critical thinking ideas that we have studied prior to this website. Also the website consisted very good definitions of the content that we have read in the Epstein book. Additionally the definition from the website was more precise and understandable also it was shorter read when compared to the Epstein textbook. Furthermore, the website has exercises which further help me understand the concept that was being discussed. I also really liked how the website explained why a certain answer would be incorrect while the book does not state if the answer was correct or give an explanation. Also the website is well organized and simple to understand. For example, I really enjoy reading their definition of Causal Argument. The website gave a short and sweet explanation also exercises that helped me further understand the concept. 


Thank you!

Discussion Questions: Week Eleven

1). What was useful about the Cause and Effect website reading and exercises? 


The Cause and Effect website helped me further understand what Cause and Effect really was. Based on the reading from the Epstein textbook I knew basic information regarding Cause and Effect. Yet, the website discusses Causal Arguments which was very confusing at first for me. Also the website links Causal Arguments as Cause and Effect arguments. The exercises they presented was quite helpful in explaining and testing my knowledge of the concept. Additionally, when you click the wrong answer on the question the website would provide you with explanation of the reason why the answer you clicked was incorrect. Also I really liked how they presented a cause and effect within a cause and effect. They describe one possible way for the accident to occur. Then they twisted the idea and gave another perspective on who was to blame and why that accident occur. The book was helpful in explaining the Cause and Effect concept but it was too long. I mean why would anyone want to read more when they could read less and still get the same concepts and ideas from their reading. 


Thank you!

Discussion Questions: Week Ten

3). Pick one concept or idea from the assigned reading, that we have not already discussed, that you found useful or interesting, and discuss it.


Analogies is defined as a comparison between two things in order to highlight the similarities and in hopes draw the same conclusion.
For example: If Linda was going to buy a $20,000 used car. She should just buy a brand new car for $20,000 with no mileage. 


Analyse: This is an argument where someone is trying to persuade Linda in buying a new car rather than a used car. The person states that since Linda was planning to spend $20,000 on a used car with mileage and there are uncertainty of how long the car might last before it breaks down. Linda should just purchase brand new car for $20,000 where there wasn't a previous owner. This is a good argument yet, it needs more details and explanation to fully agree with the person that's stating that Linda should buy a new car. For instance, we need to know what car Linda was planning to buy used and actually how many miles there were. Linda's dream car might be a BMW. Yet, the $20,000 can't get her the latest model. However, she loves those cars so she settles for a used one. From my personal knowledge you could purchase BMW '04 to '06 model with relatively low mileage for $20,000 and they are well taken care of by their previous owners. So in order for us to fully justified if Linda should spend her $20,000 on a new car or an old car we need more detail. 


Thank you! :]